April is Autism Awareness Month, and Lark Tattoo is doing its part to bring attention to the disorder.

For every autism-inspired tattoo done this month at the shops on Lark Street and in Westbury, Long Island, Lark Tattoo will donate a percentage of the proceeds to Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization.

The shops are just a few of hundreds giving back through Ink4Autism, a worldwide fundraising movement that began in 2012. To date, nearly 500 tattoos have been inked through the collective of artists, and more than $25,000 has been raised in North America alone.

"Our Long Island shop has participated before, but this is our first time working with Ink4Autism," said Lark Street shop manager Jessica Shultis. "We've been here for 20 years, and want to give back to the community that has supported us."

A tattoo shop probably isn't the first place most people would expect to find a group of community-minded, charitable business people.

Lark Tattoo has been committed to creating custom tattoos and piercings, as well as giving back to the community, since it opened in 1993. Its four resident and four rotating professional artists have been recognized by national and international organizations in the tattoo industry.

More Information

This month's promotion isn't the first time the shop has teamed up with a charity to raise money and awareness. For every pink ribbon tattoo done in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lark Tattoo donates a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer research.

Autism strikes a personal chord with employees at both Lark Tattoo locations. Several of the artists have people in their lives diagnosed on the autism spectrum, a range of developmental disorders that include struggling with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors as well as sensitivity to too much stimulation.

"Everyone has some kind of personal connection to autism," said Shultis. "That's why we decided to participate — to do our part."

Tattoos designed through Ink4Autism are some variation of a puzzle piece. The logo for Autism Speaks is a blue puzzle piece, which demonstrates the multifaceted characteristics of autism and the diversity of the people that it affects.

Many other autism advocacy organizations use puzzle pieces as their symbol.

"People can pick out their own tattoo, which doesn't have to be just a puzzle piece," said Shultis. "We had a woman come in recently and get an ankle band with puzzle pieces hanging off with her son's name."

The Lark Street shop is hoping to keep its Ink4Autism donation local and is in contact with the nonprofit Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region, which serves people living with autism in 12 counties. Its mission is to promote lifelong access to opportunities for people with autism spectrum disorders and their families through advocacy, public awareness, education and compassionate support.

Ink4Autism allows participating shops to choose the percentage of money donated per tattoo as well as which autism services charity the donation goes to.

"We definitely do autism-inspired tattoos throughout the year, but haven't had too many calls yet this month," said Shultis. "We're hoping for more."